Tongs for stretching wires



(No Model.)

' Z. GRAME-R. TONGS FOR STRETOHING WIRES.

Patented June 7, 1898.

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UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ZENAS ORAMER, OF DANUBE, New YORK.

TO-NG'S FOR STRETCHING WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,081, dated June '7,1898. Application filed November 18, 1897. Serial No. 658,929. (Nomodel.)

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZENAS ORAMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Danube,

in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Tongs for Stretching Wires,

of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a pair of simple,inexpensive,and efficient ing same in position for stretching a wire.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the tongs with their jawsopen. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken through line X X, Fig.1.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughv out the several views.

A represents two straight jaws pivotally connected to each other bymeans of a rivet B and provided with two legs or handles 0. Thesehandles are extended so as to form a lever by which the tongs are pulledback from the post with great force.

D represents two grooves which are formed on theinnerfaces of the jaws.These grooves Y which are adapted to hold the wire'to be stretched varyin size in order to accommodate wires of difierent thicknesses.

Situated at the upperend and at one side on the jaws are a series ofwedge-shaped teeth E, adapted to engage the post F and prevent the tongsfrom slipping. These teeth further serve the purpose of automaticallyclosing the jaws when the same come in contact with the post and holdthe wire firmly clamped without any exertion on the part of the oper-'ator. These teeth are formed integral with the jaws and are made flushwith the inner faces thereof and taperingtoward the top faces of thejaws. When the teeth are brought in contact with the post, they willmake a triangular impression, as shown in Fig. 3, and cause the jaws toapproach each other'as the teethsink into thewood.

In using the tongs l clamp the wire fast in one of the grooves in thejaws, place the toothed sides of the jaws against the post, as

illustrated in Fig. 1, and then pull the extended handles away from thepost, thus stretching the wire. As the teeth lock the jaws in a clampedposition, the handles need not be clamped by the hands when stretching,

the wire. The operator can thus hold the tongs in one hand and utilizethe other hand in fastening the stretched wire to the post by means of astaple or other fastening device.

The end portions of the jaws are made convex in order to permit the wirebeing carried around the post at a right angle to the normal directionof the wire.

I am aware that many changes may be made in my invention, and for thatreason I do not desire to limit myself to the particular constructionherein shown and described, but

hold myself at liberty to make such changes as would fairly come withinthe scope of my invention.

Having thus described'my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is 3 r 1. A pair of tongs for stretchingwireconsisting of two jaws pivotally connected to each other andprovided with two extended legs or handles,- two opposing grooves formedacross the inner faces of the jaws, said grooves being adapted to holdthe wire, a series of wedge-shaped teeth situated on the upper end andon one side of the said jaws, said teeth being made flush with the innerfaces of the said jaws and tapering toward the top faces of the jaws,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. A pair of tongs for stretching wires comprising two jaws pivotallyconnected to each other and provided with two extended legs or handles,two or more opposing grooves formed across the inner faces of the jaws,a series of teeth tapering toward the top faces of the jaws, located onone or more sides of the jaws, substantially as described and for thepurpose set forth.

ZENAS 'ORAMER.

Witnesses:

J. B. MoemR'E, GEO. G. STEBBINs.

